17The apartment he rented was on the 13th floor of the building next to ours. From the balcony of the living room, he could see the lit-up window of our house.When we got to his house, I urged him to take off his clothes that were soaked in snow. Then I opened the cake box, inserted the candles one by one, and lit them up.By the time he came out, the candles had been burned by half.I said, "Come and blow out the candles. I'm going back soon. My mother is waiting for me at home."He looked at me attentively. After a while, he said, "Okay."I accompanied him to make a wish with my eyes closed and blew out the candles. Seeing that he had begun to eat the cake, I finally breathed a sigh of relief, stood up, and walked to the door."All right, go take a hot shower after eating the cake. It's so cold. Don't mess around in the future."Before I could finish my words, a warm force came from behind. He wrapped around my waist.I deliberately turned off the lights in the living room
19Early the next morning, I went through the discharge formalities for my mom.At this time, there was less than a week until Christmas' Eve.My mother was very energetic. After she recovered, she began to busy herself with purchasing Christmas goods.I was a little worried. There were only a few days left before the Christmas holiday anyway, so I asked for a few more days off and accompanied her to go shopping every day.I didn't know if it was a coincidence, but we ran into Cruz downstairs every morning when we went out.Consequently, the three of us naturally went to purchase Christmas goods together.On the morning of Christmas Eve, my mother asked me to decorate the Christmas tree. Upon opening the door, I saw Cruz standing outside the door.Finally, I couldn't stand it any more, asking, "It's Christmas Eve today. Aren't you going home?"He smiled wryly and said, "My dad and I fell out. He told me not to go back during the Christmas holiday."Hearing this, my mother fel
Author: Qiao Ke Li A Hua Tian 1During those fervid few years as Jack Cameron's lover, my acting career waned into one that was entirely dependent on his resources, with no accolades to speak of.As I was wallowing in the bliss of my romance, he initiated a breakup.After leaving him, I restarted from the bottom. I painstakingly forged my way back up as I brushed up on the acting skills I had disregarded earlier.Three years later, I encountered Jack again on set. This time, his girlfriend and I were competing for the same role.He cornered me in the dressing room and demanded, "Name me a price and you'll give up your role when I grant it."I pulled him towards me as my lips grazed his collar, staining it. I suggested sultrily."Accompany me for a night, and I'll fulfill your fiancee's wishes."I had been a struggling actor receiving mostly insignificant roles when I first met Jack.Although I had the relevant acting accreditation, I could never thrive in the seedy underbel
3I woke the following day on a hotel bed.Jack was in slumber right beside me.The past three years had not left any traces on his face. His chiseled features looked divine even in his sleep.I jumped out of bed and rummaged through the pile of clothes on the floor for my phone, which was brimming with notifications.My manager, Julia, had sent me a series of messages. "Tiana, have you rekindled your romance with Jack?""Did you two head to a hotel?""Do you know that the two of you were caught entering the same hotel? Return to the company as soon as you see this!"I opened my social media accounts and noted that the news was not trending. The photographer did not wish to leak the news yet, which meant he probably wanted money.I thought to myself, "This is good news. I'll have more bargaining chips."I balanced myself on sore legs as I turned and made eye contact with a calm gaze.Slightly stunned, I gathered my thoughts by lounging on the sofa next to me, legs crossed, a
5Begin anewHe articulated those words so effortlessly.I fought to regain my composure and countered,"Mr. Cameron, you'll have to show some sincerity if you insist on rekindling our relationship. I no longer have interest in all that you used to offer me."Jack fixed me with an unwavering stare as he asked, "What do you want?"My eyes crinkled and I smirked, "I haven't been a luxury brand ambassador."During my arduous climb to the top without Jack, I had representative works that brought me critical acclaim. My accolades earned me a steady foothold in the entertainment industry.However, I was still lacking in terms of media sponsorship compared to those with the proper connections.Jack reacted swiftly. By the following week, he had arranged for a meetup between me and a jewelry sponsor.I recognized Jack's car upon exiting the production set.With one decisive motion, I entered his car.Jack briefed me as he drove, "We're meeting with Tiffany and Co. today. It's one o
7His lips tightened into a thin line while his brooding eyes darkened.I leaned forward and inched toward his face.My bathrobe slipped and revealed my bare shoulders.Our breaths mingled in the proximity and he shot me a single glance before hooking my chin to press his lips against mine.He had never been a talkative person.I had once acted alongside a co-actor who took advantage of me by purposefully messing up our kissing scenes.If I tried to dodge him, he would complain to the director, "How am I supposed to act properly if Tiana keeps avoiding me?"Once the cameras stopped rolling, his attitude became scornful and he had leered, "Your lips have been kissed by so many men, it disgusts me."I stared at him defiantly and snapped, "Well, so were you trying to experience kissing a man by incessantly smashing your lips against mine?"He had been about to strike me when Jack, who happened to drop by our set, seized his hand.The male lead was promptly replaced the next day
9I was hospitalized for more than a week.On the day that I was discharged from the hospital, Jack was driving me home when he received a call.His brows furrowed, "Okay, I'll head back."I turned to face him, "Some urgent matters cropped up?"Jack nodded."You should go and settle them. Just drop me off here and I'll get Lily to pick me up.""No need."Jack insisted on sending me home. I stared at the disappearing silhouette of his car before staggering back to my house.Once I reached home, Julia informed me that my Alma mater had contacted her and they were keen on inviting me back to give a speech to the graduating cohort.I replied wryly, "Why would they invite me?"Julia fell silent before continuing, "Well, you're an A-list actor now. Considering your accolades and acclaimed works, it's not a surprise that they're extending an invite to you."Really?I remembered vividly that the majority of the backlash I suffered back then had been from those supposed juniors.A
11Upon reaching home, Julia informed me that a female lead role I had taken on earlier was nominated for an Oscars.Four other actresses have been nominated and they were accomplished seniors apart from Tanya Lewis.Tanya and I were adversaries.She had lost a few major roles to me during some auditions back then and she held a grudge against me ever since.Julia mentioned the representative had conveyed to her that my chances of winning were the highest.I laughed wryly, "Not necessarily true."Troy Davis, a brilliant director's son, provided for Tanya. He had leeched off his father's reputation for the past decade but directed no resulting decent productions.After Jack had left me, he approached me and subsequently threatened to blacklist me after I rejected his advances.For some reason, nothing happened to me and he soon switched his target to Tanya.The next day, the Internet was flooded with pictures of Jack and me.This time, more sneakily captured photos were relea